Just a political point. Not any party alliance. (Debate)

Wed 12 Jun, 20:42

Hard to make it a short post though.  The case for PR is set out clearly on this website with the differing views expressed. I start from the premise that opinions range in a normal distribution curve across a population with the extreme views representing a minority at either end of the curve. They will always be a minority unless they are manipulated to combine on a single issue e.g. Brexit.

Our voting system is set up to exclude extremes and neutralise the impact of single issue parties or social groups who remain outside the political system.

The parties of the right have successfully evolved to unite in a single party through discipline. Through my life their goal has been towards individual wealth creation. So, extremists on the right seeking influence and encouraged by the pork barrel join their local Conservative party. We have watched the take-over of that party encouraged and funded by the Tufton Street charities – European Research Group, Global Warming Policy Foundation, Institute of Economic Affairs, etc., set up solely with the purpose of undermining programmes that detract from personal wealth creation. They have expelled the moderates and pushed the agenda towards their extremist views. But we’re witnessing and suffering from the break-up of the Party because of these tensions.

The parties of the left have not combined. Consequently, they have enjoyed less time in Government and always will do until they combine and enforce discipline like their rival. Then the extremists will transfer their allegiance as voters swing from one Party to the other. As we have seen with the defection of Natalie Elphicke to Labour. If that happens then we will have a polarising 2-party system that pleases no-one, increases anger, justifying further clamp down on individual freedoms, and reduces general population health and welfare. This is so far from democracy that it is an offence to call it that.

Other countries acknowledge the existence of differing views by having PR and allowing them access to their parliaments. All parties that represent a significant proportion of our population deserve to be in parliament. It makes governing more difficult but, it is difficult.

The European elections have not resulted in a “strong” rightwards shift. Parties of the right represented 51% of seats in the old Parliament and now represent 58% – hardly revolutionary considering the considerable pressures each individual nation state is facing. France and to a lesser extent Germany have voted for their extremists. Mr. Macron is hoping that his country will not be so rash when they vote for their national government in the hastily called election. But otherwise, moderation is holding. If we want increased stability of Government, we need PR.